Road Cycling - FSA RD200 Wheelset

I was in the market for a cheap wheelset to replace my 13 year old Trek isoC-II set.

My LBS had the FSA RD200 set for a price that I thought was pretty good, they were true and had no hops in them. I'd read that people had purchased them over the internet and they were out of round, or out of true. My dealer said that he had sold 3-5 sets and had had no problems. I also picked up some vittoria rubino pro tires at the same time.

While not being the lightest/highest fashion/highest tech set of wheels they looked to be pretty decent quality when compared side by side to some mavic wheels...

anyway, installed them on my bike and took them for a 30mile ride that I do often. First thing I noticed is that these wheels want to roll forever compared to the dura-ace iso-C wheels I replaced. They are much stiffer and held up just fine over some serious bumpy roads. Which I would hope they do that after only 30miles. I'll report more as the miles pile up.

I hadn't seen a review of this wheelset on the forums so I thought I'd just write this post up for others interested in FSA wheels. For the money SO FAR I think they are pretty decent.

--cheers

I was in the market for a cheap wheelset to replace my 13 year old Trek isoC-II set.

My LBS had the FSA RD200 set for a price that I thought was pretty good, they were true and had no hops in them. I'd read that people had purchased them over the internet and they were out of round, or out of true. My dealer said that he had sold 3-5 sets and had had no problems. I also picked up some vittoria rubino pro tires at the same time.

While not being the lightest/highest fashion/highest tech set of wheels they looked to be pretty decent quality when compared side by side to some mavic wheels...

anyway, installed them on my bike and took them for a 30mile ride that I do often. First thing I noticed is that these wheels want to roll forever compared to the dura-ace iso-C wheels I replaced. They are much stiffer and held up just fine over some serious bumpy roads. Which I would hope they do that after only 30miles. I'll report more as the miles pile up.

I hadn't seen a review of this wheelset on the forums so I thought I'd just write this post up for others interested in FSA wheels. For the money SO FAR I think they are pretty decent.

--cheers


I just obtained a pair of these wheels. I noticed on a recent ride that when I get out of the saddle on a climb or a light sprint the wheel flexes to the right such that my right brake shoe rubs the rim on the right side. I weigh at most around 200 pounds. Has anyone had a similar problem with a FSA wheelset or any other?

Also, the nipples are inside the rim. So if you need/want to true the wheel you have remove the wheel and rim strip.

I hadn't thought of that. Having to remove the tyre and rim tape to true will be a pain in the but. Lets hope it's not needed to often.
My FSA wheels came on my new GT/GTR1, great bike.

I've heard good things about the FSA's - mostly the 400's. How much were they and what to they weigh?

55/Rad

I'm still looking for a wheelset in that price range, and I've been looking at these since they were mentioned in another thread. I kind of like the idea of a wheelset that nobody else in the club has, but not if lateral stiffness is going to be a problem. :eek: Has anyone besides little5guy noticed this?

Any experiences with FSA 600

I've still had no problems with the wheelset. I have over 2000 miles on them now. I never even took them back to the shop to get trued after some breakin time. Im roughly 160lbs at 5'11.5" so I can not comment on how they would hold up with a heavier rider.

jim

The FSA's on my GT are RD400's and weigh 1.45kg/set. They seem like great wheels to me although I've only been riding them since Jan. 26th.
Check the link for some info;
http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB='5005-80'

I have the FSA RD 200 wheelset, I have taken them over some rough roads and some long rides. I'm about 180lbs. No problems at all. Spokes are fine, brakes don't rub.

I've been riding RD200's on my cross bike for two years as my road wheels. They were true and round out of the box and have held up well for 5000 or so km. Our roads around here are brutal, thus I am very impressed that the wheels have remained quite straight over those km. I think I'll true them up to perfection this winter as they are likely out about a mm or two both front and rear, but see no reason to do so now. They are also very nice looking wheels, which is always nice.

I might use them for cross racing this fall as well, they are a bit lighter than my MA3 on 105 wheels that were stock on my JtS.

As an update on this thread: I absolutely regret having the rd-200 wheels! I abandoned the rear wheel after the 2nd or 3rd spoke break. I thought the front wheel would hold up but no such luck. I got rid of that wheel after the second spoke broke. On the front whee!

Anyone want a good deal on these terrible wheels?

One of my team mates (former) has a pile of trashed FSA wheels sitting in his basement from when he was sponsored by them. Poop. Absolute poop.

I've heard good things about the FSA's - mostly the 400's. How much were they and what to they weigh?

55/Rad

I don't know who you heard that from! RD-400 wheels suck a mile of ditchwater. Get on RBR and read the reviews. I blew through three sets in 11 months and finally just gave up.